Bowerbird Brood

 

Bowerbird Brood by Aura Parker (Scholastic), RRP $19.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781761-521621

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

When Bowerbird Brood arrived for review, my daughter squealed with delight. She instantly recognised it as the sequel to Bowerbird Blues, the 2024 National Simultaneous Storytime book in which we meet Mr Bowerbird, collector of all things blue and seeking his perfect match. Bowerbird Brood begins with Ms Bowerbird, protector of her precious eggs until they hatch, and her chicks take their first steps towards flight. 

Like Bowerbird Blues, Bowerbird Brood is a story told firstly through the unique and expressive illustrations by author-illustrator Aura Parker. The words are secondary and affirm the storyline. They’re like lyrics that you sing along to a great piece of music.

‘For now, you are too small to fly. 

But I know you want to try…

Will you fall in love with the blue of the sky?’

This is a book that makes you want to wrap it in your arms and hug it until you fall asleep. Words can’t describe the gorgeousness of the first hatchling to crack out of its shell. And the spread of the hatchlings singing lullabies with the lyrebirds and lorikeets is something you’d want to frame and hang on a wall. 

The big question my daughter wanted to know in reading this book was ‘Where is Mr Bowerbird?’ That prompted us to talk about what the pictures in both books had taught us: the colours of the female versus the male, the male builds a bower on the ground to attract his mate, the female builds a nest in trees and cares for the young by herself. Spoiler – my daughter had to read to the end for the answer to her question. 

What’s the best part about this book? According to my kids, it’s the same thing as their other Aura Parker books – the ‘find all the creatures’ activities on the front and back spreads. It was a challenge, but they were immensely proud of themselves when they managed to find them all. 

This is a picture book that will appeal to kids of all ages.